The Restoration of Messianic Hope

""In this book Brian Main has made several advances: He has shown the significance of narrative criticism for the Gospel of Matthew. He has demonstrated the importance of the resurrection of Jesus in Matthew, which, surprisingly, is often undervalued. Finally, he has provided new insights into Matthew by relating the beginning to the conclusion. Highly recommended for all those interested in the New Testament, but especially for scholars of Matthew."" --John Paul Heil, Professor of New Testament, Retired, The Catholic University of America ""In this wonderful study, Brian Main situates the importance of Jesus' resurrection in its proper place in the Gospel of Matthew: not just the last or greatest event, but the one that infuses and shapes Matthew's whole narrative from the outset. The vibrancy of Matthew's narrative shines through in Main's book."" --Bradley C. Gregory, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, The Catholic University of America ""In this perceptive narrative-critical reading, Brian Main teases out the fuller significance of Jesus' resurrection in Matthew, moving beyond trite scholarly observations that the resurrection 'vindicates' Jesus. Main's richly textured analysis locates Jesus' resurrection within wider salvation history, as the decisive victory over all opposition to God's inbreaking kingdom, fulfilling the promises made to David and Abraham. Main's work offers a model for how a close, slow reading can shed fresh light on familiar texts."" --Ian Boxall, Senior Tutor in New Testament, St Stephen's House, Oxford